I called out "Hollo!" to let them know where I was. There was no answer; and I shouted again, louder than before. All at once the sounds ceased. I knew the horsemen were listening, and I called once more at the top of my voice. There was a moment's silence! Then I could hear a muttering of many voices and the trampling of horses as they galloped towards me. I wondered that none of them had yet answered my signal; but my wonder was changed into consternation when I perceived that the approaching party were on the other side of the barranca! Before I could recover from my surprise, they were opposite me and reining up on the bank of the chasm. They were still three hundred yards distant, the width of the gulf; but I could see them plainly through the thin and filmy fog. There appeared in all about a hundred horsemen; and their long spears, their plumed heads, and half-naked bodies, told me at a glance they were Indians! I stayed to inquire no further, but ran with all my speed for the camp. I could see the horsemen on the opposite cliff keeping pace with me at a slow gallop. On reaching the spring I found the hunters in surprise, and vaulting into their saddles. Seguin and a few others had gone out on the extreme edge, and were looking over. They had not thought of an immediate retreat, as the enemy, having the advantage of the light, had already discovered the strength of our party. Though only a distance of three hundred yards separated the hostile bands, twenty miles would have to be passed before they could meet in battle. On this account Seguin and the hunters felt secure for the time; and it was hastily resolved to remain where we were, until we had examined who and what were our opponents. They had halted on the opposite bank, and sat in their saddles, gazing across. They seemed puzzled at our appearance. It was still too dark for them to distinguish our complexions. Soon, however, it grew clearer; our peculiar dress and equipments were recognised; and a wild yell, the Navajo war-cry, came pealing over the abyss! "It's Dacoma's party!" cried a voice, "they have taken the wrong side o' the gully." "No," exclaimed another, "thar's too few o' them for Dacoma's men. Thar ain't over a hundred." "Maybe the flood tuk the rest," suggested the first speaker. "Wagh! how could they 'a missed our trail, that's as plain as a waggon track? 'Tain't them nohow." "Who then? It's Navagh. I kud tell thar yelp if I wur sleepin'." "Them's head chief's niggurs," said Rube, at this moment riding forward. "Looke! yonder's the old skunk hisself, on the spotted hoss!" "You think it is they, Rube?" inquired Seguin. "Sure as shootin', cap." "But where are the rest of his band? These are not all." "They ain't far off, I'll be boun'. Hish-sh! I hear them a-comin'." "Yonder's a crowd! Look, boys! look!"